Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD)

Contents

Overview

RHD is also known as VHD, RVHD or ‘Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease’.

RHD is caused by a virus, it causes severe symptoms and often death.

It’s common in wild rabbits and spreads easily to pet rabbits.

RHD spreads through the air, by insect bites or by contact with an infected rabbit.

There are two types of RHD

RHD1 – causes very sudden disease and is fatal nearly all of the time.

RHD2 – takes slightly longer to develop (5-10 days) and is fatal in 50% of cases.

Vaccinate your rabbits against both RHD1 and RHD2 to protect them fully from this serious disease.

What is RHD?

RHD is a virus that attacks the internal organs (especially the liver). It causes massive internal bleeding which nearly always causes death. There are two types of RHD virus; RHD1 and RHD2.

A rabbit with RHD1 is likely to die within 2 days of catching the disease. Rabbits with RHD2 develop symptoms a little more slowly and often die within 1-2 weeks. Rabbits with are much more likely to spread the disease because they live for longer with symptoms.

Symptoms

RHD often develops so quickly that infected rabbits die before their owner notices any symptoms.

Treatment and outlook

Sadly, there is no cure for either RHD1 or RHD2 and the chances of survival are slim. If symptoms are severe, euthanasia is often the kindest option.

If your rabbit has caught RHD2 they have a 50% chance of surviving with intensive care from your vet. However, recovery can take weeks to months and symptoms are often so severe that euthanasia (putting to sleep) becomes the kindest option.

After infection

If one of your rabbits has died from RHD, their enclosure and all other items should be thrown away. RHD can survive in the environment (on bowls, water bottles, walls, grass etc) for months, so you must seek advice from your vet about how to properly disinfect. Only fully vaccinated rabbits should be allowed into their area in the future.

If you own a rabbit that has survived RHD you must vaccinate any new rabbits and wait at least three weeks before introducing them to each other.

Prevent contact with wild rabbits

Quarantine new rabbits

Any new rabbits should be vaccinated and kept away from your existing rabbits for at least three weeks.

Get your rabbit vaccinated and keep on top of boosters.

When to contact your vet

Book an urgent appointment with your vet if your rabbit has any of the symptoms listed above.

You know your rabbit best. If they don’t have the symptoms listed above but you are still concerned it’s always best to contact your vet.

Published: April 2019

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Written by vets and vet nurses

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ABOUT PDSA

Founded in 1917 by animal welfare pioneer, Maria Dickin CBE, PDSA is the UK’s leading veterinary charity. Operating through a UK-wide network of 48 Pet Hospitals, PDSA provides low cost and free veterinary care to the sick and injured pets of people in need and promotes responsible pet ownership